Is Aurora or Oak Lawn Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Oak Lawn (Safety Score 54/100 vs 43/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 1,907 for Oak Lawn — 17% lower. Aurora has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Aurora has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 3.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aurora — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oak Lawn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Oak Lawn, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Oak Lawn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 1,907.1 | -333.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 180.2 | +96.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 3.6 | -3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 36.4 | +22.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 43.7 | -6.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 96.5 | +82.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,726.9 | -430.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 343.9 | -81.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 1,155.5 | -389.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 227.5 | +41.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Oak Lawn safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 1,907 for Oak Lawn — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Oak Lawn has 180.2. Oak Lawn has lower violent crime.
About Aurora, IL
Aurora, Illinois, "City of Lights," was the first in the U.S. to light its streets with electricity. Situated along the Fox River, it's the second-most populous city in Illinois. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 170,585, Aurora has a total crime rate of 1,573.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Oak Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn, a southwestern suburb of Chicago, is known for its annual fall parade. This village in Cook County is largely residential, with a diverse population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 54,953, Oak Lawn has a total crime rate of 1,907.1 per 100,000 residents.